simple

9.

The two of them sat down at one of the round tables, while much too energetic songs played and most people had migrated to the dance floor. It was mostly the 6th and 7th years now, as they had the most privilege regarding curfew and what not.

Hera took a sip of water and snuck a glance towards Malfoy. There was something about the way his eyes were intentionally sunken with eyeshadow that made her look at him more than usual. She looked towards the punch bowl quickly. Blaise Zabini was pouring a transparent liquid into the punch bowl. She went over to him, not speaking a word to Draco.

"How much more cliche can this possibly get?" she asked him, taking the ladle and stirring the juices around. "This is like every one of those American Muggle movies where they end up being pissed and having sex in the back of some car."

"That's the point, Nostrova," Blaise yelled over the suddenly strong bass of a song. He grinned and looked over towards Draco intentionally. Hera understood the allusion.

"Oh fuck off, Zabini," she yelled, rolling her eyes and not even cracking a grin. Blaise was acting like he loved Muggles now. As though he always had; as though he wouldn't change his mind on less then a moment's thought.

"Was going to anyway," he answered, giving some sort of tongue click and a wink.

Once alone, Hera poured herself some spiked punch and had two glasses. She had missed the feeling of being tipsy, but she hadn't really missed the loud music aspect of the drinking scenario. Why did people listen to such insufferable music in this school? It was all so cheap.

All of a sudden, she felt a warm energy behind her. She turned around as he reached for the ladle and he poured himself a glass.
"Shit," he muttered after drinking, frowning. "Couldn't he have made it more diluted? How much did he bloody put in here?"

"You're a light drinker, I take it" Hera teased.
Their backs were turned away from the punch table, leaning against it but being beside each other.

"I am, yes. I'm just saying... he's going to get caught; it almost tastes neat." He sipped some more.

Hera paused and considered the fact that he admitted to being a light drinker. It was interesting to her at that moment. She was suddenly very aware of this vulnerability of his. He had opened up all night. She didn't like it.

What the fuck did he want?

She inhaled sharply.

"It is strong, you're right," she said, taking another sip. It was perhaps the only verbal confirmation she had ever given Draco. After a few moments she said:

"It's too hot in here, I'm going outside."

Hera felt a burst of spontaneity departing the refreshment table and realised she really wanted Draco to follow her. She had not yet decided her intentions but she was certain she didn't wish to be alone.

She walked out of  The Great Hall into the night. While they had been in the stuffy hall, the night seemed to have cleared and made way for thousands of stars in the black sky. She made her way to the school yard. She found Yasmine and another girl gossiping in the nearest hallway.

"Hera! Fancy some transsien root liquor?"

The girl (whom she didn't ever remember speaking to) waved a flask towards her. Hera walked over and took the flask without a word and poured about half of its contents into the cup she was already holding. She didn't care about the liquids mixing. There was not much she cared about at that moment.

It was cold. All she hoped was that she was maintaining her composure walking and staying correctly upright. She concentrated on steps.

"Thanks, girls!" she said in a sarcastically dry voice, and continued on to the open yard.She couldn't help but hear the echoes of what sounded like empty words: